United Spirit to grow by 15-16 pc in 2007-08

Kolkata, Apr 30: United Spirits Limited (USL), a leading breweries company, has chalked out a growth target of 15 to 16 per cent nationally across all brands in 2007-08 with special focus on retail market.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference here today, after the launch of its premium quality whisky brand "Royal Mist", USL Chief Operating Officer (East) Kausik Chatterjee said the company had sold 660 lakh cases in 2006-07, of which sales in the eastern market was three lakh cases.

''We have grown by 45 per cent in 2006-07 while the growth in the eastern market was 66 per cent. The east is growing at a faster pace compared to other parts of the country,'' he said.

Talking about the company's plan to expand in the retail market, Mr Chatterjee said the company would open new shops in the city to sell various liquor brands in a different ambience.

''We will tie up with a number of franchise in the city, who will be selling various brands with special focus on USL's. Unlike the liquor shops which we find in the city these days, these shops will have a beautiful ambience, where people would be able to sit, go through the available brands and choose on his own,'' he explained.

United Spirits Limited, is a brand synergy of Mallya owned United Breweries and Shaw Wallace.

UNI